Main reason for the growth and decline in the persecution of witches Flashcards
How did witchcraft literature impact the persecution rate ?
Heinrich Kramer’s book “ malleus Malificarum argues that witches are usually women and that normal legal procedures had to be abandoned
After 1560 prosecutions increased which led to increasing evidence of witches being involved with diabolism / devil worship / trials confirmed the views in the books and provided more examples for new books
How did religious developments contribute to witch hunting ?
Catholics saw Protestantism as the work of the devil vice versa . therefore both sides had reasons to find witches
Witchcraft persecution was most intense in areas where there were religious divisions / areas which had a minority of another faith which helped create political and social instability compared to areas with no religious divide like italy where only saw small scale WH
In what ways are religious developments an unconvincing explanation of witch hunting ?
Witch hunting began before the start of the reformation
The early years of the reformation only saw small amounts of prosecutions
War created political instability and prevented regular business such as the prosecution of witches
How did class conflict cause a growth in persecution ( social changes )
Accusations of witchcraft were used to divert attention and anger away from the economic dislocation taking place
Presence of witches meant the religious and secular authorities became essential in dealing with the threat Witches posed and therefore cleared them from accusations of failing to deal with the economy issues
How did the role of women ( social changes ) cause a growth of persecution ?
Most of those accused were women which could be due to the patriarchal society
Many persecuted were “ healers “ so when disease struck they were blamed E.G
- Elizabeth Matlock who was prosecuted of witchcraft in Cambridgeshire in 1566
What role did the Mini ice age have on prosecutions ?
